Digital ArtLords

The Art of “Lain”

Lain is an anime series about…Actually, it’s about many contemporary things, about what is truly real in a world that has become digital. About loneliness in the “physical” realm, about the worship of new gods, new concepts in a world that is coming out of the chrysalis of the silent and ubiquitous digital revolution that has changed how we perceive the world, perceive others and finally, how we perceive ourselves.
But most important for us here in Artlords, is that the series plays off those themes in it’s aesthetic. The character design of Yoshitoshi Abe was essential to fully realize the script written by Chiaki J. Konaka and the directing coming from Ryutaro Nakamura.

We could explore the themes of Lain here, do a deep analysis of Chiaki’s and Ryutaro’s direct input in the project. However, someone did it first and did it better than we could since it’s all on video and well researched.

Digibro video analysis was what inspired us to dig deeper in Lain, and we found so much to love.
And since the “Art Of” series is about loving digital art, let’s all love Lain…’s Illustrations by Yoshitoshi Abe.

Click the image to expand:

Setting was not used

Concept Art

Box Art cover for VHS

Setting was a bit darker on the actual series

Studies for the show setting/Lain expressions

Studies for the show setting/Lain expressions

Illustration for the Artbook

Concept Art/Study

Concept art for the unused book

Pajama concept art.

Concept for the train scene

Posture Concept

Sketch for the Train Scene

Studies. Perhaps color studies?

Lain’s expressions begin to take form in the illustrations

Lain’s expressions begin to take form in the illustrations

Lain’s expressions begin to take form in the illustrations

Box Art concepts

Cover Art study for the soundtrack cdver

Cover Art study for the soundtrack cdver (notice the Bear hat)

Haircut Studies

A personal favorite

Poster Studies

First appearance of the iconic pajama in the artbook

PSX game cover art concept

Secondary Character Concept Art

Secondary Character Concept Art

Color Study

Concept Art

Hairstyle Concept Art

Interior Concept Art

Interior Concept Art

All these illustrations come from ABe’s illustration book for Lain, in which you can grab it here.